Angel Song Read Online Free Page A

heard Quinn’s happy squeals all the way down the street, and the laughter cut like a knife. After two years, it shouldn’t still bother him so deeply…the fact that Denise had left. Who would have thought he’d end up divorced? He couldn’t help but shoulder much of the blame. After all, she’d made her wishes for the future more than clear before they’d exchanged marriage vows. He should have considered every possibility—or lack thereof.
    A sense of failure gnawed at him.
    Maybe he’d never get over her or the ache that had set up residence in his heart when the doctor gave him the news that carved a direct route to the demise of his marriage and the future he’d so carefully planned—and so desperately longed for.
    He’d never have children.
    Jason glanced out the living room window. Three houses down floodlights cut through the cloud-covered afternoon. Quinn was busy rolling a snowball across the ground while a little girl stood by her side, watching. The girl’s wavy red hair, a lighter version of Quinn’s, peeked from beneath a knit cap.
    When the ball grew large enough, Quinn set it atop two others, making a snowman complete by giving him a smooth, rotund head. She hoisted the child into the air and giggled as together they added eyes, hair crafted from what looked like purple yarn, and a carrot nose. The laughter continued as she set down the child and they commenced dressing the snowman in an oversized floppy straw hat, a red knit scarf, a colorful patchwork vest, and blue mittens propped on the end of his twiggy hands. Then Quinn reached into a knapsack and pulled out a spray can.
    Jason couldn’t believe his eyes as she began to paint a pair of galoshes for the snowman’s feet and fat, black buttons across his protruding belly. Finally, she added a black rectangle to the surrounding snow, complete with intricate details, until it took the shape of a sled.
    The kid squealed with delight when Quinn offered her a second spray can and lifted her into the air once more. A moment later, Mr. Snowman’s face was graced with a wobbly, crimson smile. A pair of sunglasses propped on the carrot nose completed the snow-loving friend.
    Quinn…the word rolled off his tongue. Jason didn’t even know her last name. But, wow, Quinn-whatever-her-last-name-was perfect for helping with the Christmas pageant. If only Jason could convince her.
    But she had a past, and apparently whatever it was had left deep wounds and a heaping bowl of self-doubt. He shook his head and stepped back from the window. Somehow, he felt it would be easier to melt the snowcaps in Siberia with a single match than convince her she was just the person he needed.
    Jason glanced at the clock, which had inched an hour closer to the deadline for Christmas pageant rehearsals to begin. Without sufficient time to practice, they’d never get the musical ready. Resigned, he wandered to the kitchen and poured another cup of coffee before settling in at the table with the church directory. There had to be someone willing to work with the set design…someone who had a passion for helping kids. If he couldn’t convince Quinn to help create the set then he’d just have to make the best of things without all the fluff. The kids would be disappointed, but that would ease…eventually.
    A thorough perusal of the directory failed to unveil anyone new.
    He’d have to take on the set design himself. Maybe if all of the parents pitched in just a little bit, they could get it together. He’d promised, and he wouldn’t let the kids down.
    Somehow, with God’s help, he’d find a way. There was no turning back now.
     
     
     
     
     

4
     
    “I can’t believe you did this.” Quinn tromped across the diner’s parking lot toward her car. “Oh, Jason, you shouldn’t have.”
    “You sound angry.” His long strides quickly overtook her and, once past her, he spun to face her, talking as he walked along backwards.
    “I’m not…it’s just, I can’t